Renewed: Martinsburg police levy passes

May 12, 2013

MARTINSBURG - With all precincts reporting, renewal of the Martinsburg police levy passed Saturday with about 65.5 percent, exceeding the minimum votes needed for renewal by 22.

There were 253 votes for renewing the levy and 133 votes against renewing it. For the levy to pass, 60 percent of those casting ballots had to vote yes.

City Recorder Gena Long said Saturday after the final tally that there are provisional ballots, such as voters going to the wrong precinct, but she did not know exactly how many. She does not think there are enough to change the outcome of the election, she said.

Article Photos

Journal photo by John McVey

Martinsburg City Recorder Gena Long hauls in the first ballot box from Precinct 5 at about 7:40 p.m. Saturday. Polls were open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a special election to renew the city’s police levy.

Provisional ballots will be considered when the votes are canvassed by City Council at 5 p.m. May 17.

Saturday's totals included early in-person voting and absentee ballots.

The results will be certified during a special council meeting at 5 p.m. May 21. Turnout was about 3.5 percent of eligible voters.

"I'm glad for the public's support," Martinsburg Police Chief Kevin Miller said shortly after the results were announced. "It is tremendously needed. I'm grateful for the community's support of the police department."

Mayor George Karos also was very pleased with the result of the special election.

"I'm extremely happy that the people of Martinsburg did what they should do - we need police protection," he said Saturday evening. "I want to thank the voters who supported the levy; the administration, council members and the police department for their efforts to renew the levy and continue the service the people of Martinsburg deserve."

The levy pays for the salaries and benefits of nine Martinsburg Police Department officers as well as training, equipment, uniforms, supplies and other expenses for ongoing law enforcement programs, according to information provided by the city.

The nine police officers make up about 20 percent of the city's police force, according to the information.

The levy rate will be the same as the existing rate: 5.25 cents per $100 of assessed value for Class I property; 10.5 cents per $100 of assessed value for Class II property; and 21 cents per $100 of assessed value for Class III property, according to information provided by the city.

Properties in West Virginia are assessed at 60 percent of appraised value. A home or business appraised at $100,000 is assessed at $60,000 and the tax rate is applied to the assessed value.

The police levy tax on a home assessed at $60,000 would be $63 per year.

On businesses assessed at $60,000, the police levy would add $126 to its tax bill per year.

The levy is expected to raise about $1.1 million a year, or about $5.4 million for its five-year span, according to the city's information.

The renewed levy will take effect when the current levy expires June 30, 2014.

Long said the voting Saturday went very well without any problems at any of the city's 12 polling places.